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MY LOVE OF INDEPENDENT RECORD STORES

Banquet Records, Kingston. One of the best independent record stores in the UK.

AS A RECORD COLLECTOR and lover of music in general I find record stores a brilliant place.

Earlier today I went to Stockton’s Sound It Out Records – my local independent record shop. Packed with everything from Pulp to One Direction it is a brilliant little shop where I spend more than I can afford.

This sounds like another indie post already, but I just want to share with you my favourite things about them.

Firstly it is the broad range of genres that record stores cater for. As I said earlier, One Direction is a strange concept, but there will be someone starting a collection that wants it. One Direction released a Record Store Day release and copies sold quickly.

The next, and probably my favourite, thing that stands out in an independent record stores is the music that is played. Unlike HMV’s repetitive playlists, independent record stores play all sorts of weird and wonderful stuff.

Just after Record Store Day 2015 I was mooching in Sound It Out and I fell in love with what was on. The Wedding Present – Take Fountain. I bought the album instantly. I love finding new music and record stores are a great place to find some.

Sound It Out Records introduced me to The Wedding Present

Another way of finding new music is through the promotion record stores give to local bands. There is a whole section in Sound It Out for local artists to sell their records. This combined with the store being more than happy to put posters up and give free CDs out in carrier bags shows the importance of the local scene sticking together.

As with other stores, Sound It Out occasionally get big name bands to play in-store sessions. Spector and Evil Blizzard are just two that have played fairly recently. Intimate shows that promote both the band’s new album as well as a window of opportunity to sell other stock.

Below I have listed three of my favourite record stores from around the UK. If you are in their area be sure to check them out!

SOUND IT OUT RECORDS

NAME:

SOUND IT OUT RECORDS (STOCKTON-ON-TEES)

FIRST RECORD BOUGHT THERE:

DON’T FORGET WHO YOU ARE (MILES KANE)

LAST RECORD BOUGHT THERE:

ELEPHANT STONE (THE STONE ROSES)

BANQUET RECORDS

NAME:

BANQUET RECORDS (KINGSTON)

FIRST RECORD BOUGHT THERE:

MOVING HOME (MOOSE BLOOD)

LAST RECORD BOUGHT THERE:

MORE ACOUSTIC SONGS (REAL FRIENDS)

EARWORM RECORDS

NAME:

EARWORM RECORDS (YORK)

FIRST RECORD BOUGHT THERE:

DON’T BELIEVE THE TRUTH (OASIS)

LAST RECORD BOUGHT THERE:

GOLDEN BROWN (THE STRANGLERS)

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The final thing I love (well, posting about) about independent record stores is the beauty of going in and finding old favourites. For example, a fortnight or so ago I was flicking through the 7″ indie category and spotted Arctic Monkeys’ My Propellor. I bought it and the sheer joy brought by spinning it was worth more than the £5 paid.